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Integration of Synaptic Events

Integration of Synaptic Events

Synaptic integration mainly includes the summation of graded potentials. Graded potentials, regardless of their type, cause subtle alterations in membrane voltage, resulting in either depolarization or hyperpolarization. These incremental changes, when combined or summed, can propel the neuron toward its threshold. Consider, for example, a membrane experiencing a +15 mV shift, causing it to depolarize from -70 mV to -55 mV. In this scenario, graded potentials govern the membrane's ability to...

Synaptic Signaling

Synaptic Signaling

Neurons communicate at synapses, or junctions, to excite or inhibit the activity of other neurons or target cells, such as muscles. Synapses may be chemical or electrical.

The Synapse

The Synapse

Neurons communicate with one another by passing on their electrical signals to other neurons. A synapse is the location where two neurons meet to exchange signals. At the synapse, the neuron that sends the signal is called the presynaptic cell, while the neuron that receives the message is called the postsynaptic cell. Note that most neurons can be both presynaptic and postsynaptic, as they both transmit and receive information.

Electrical Synapses

Electrical Synapses

Electrical synapses found in all nervous systems play important and unique roles. In these synapses, the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes are very close together (3.5 nm) and are actually physically connected by channel proteins forming gap junctions.
Gap junctions allow the current to pass directly from one cell to the next. In contrast, in the chemical synapse, the neurotransmitters carry the information through the synaptic cleft from one neuron to the next. They consist of two...

Overview of Synapses

Overview of Synapses

A synapse is a specialized structure where two neurons connect, allowing them to pass an electrical or chemical signal to another neuron. It is the point of communication between neurons. The term "synapse" is derived from the Greek word "synapsis," which means "conjunction." The entire process of neural communication revolves around the synapse. When activated, a neuron releases chemicals known as neurotransmitters into the synapse. These neurotransmitters cross the synapse and bind to...

Chemical Synapses

Chemical Synapses

Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2025

Real-time Electrophysiology: Using Closed-loop Protocols to Probe Neuronal Dynamics and Beyond

Real-time Electrophysiology: Using Closed-loop Protocols to Probe Neuronal Dynamics and Beyond

Published on: June 24, 2015

Synaptic Engram.

Hyunsu Jung^1,2, Daehee Han^1,2, Chaery Lee^1,3

¹Center for Cognition and Sociality, Life Science Institute, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea.

Advances in Neurobiology

|July 15, 2024

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The engram, the biological basis of memory, is explored. Research suggests synaptic plasticity, the strengthening of connections between neurons, underlies memory formation, not just individual cells.

Keywords:

Cellular engram Circuits Connectivity Plasticity Synaptic engram

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Last Updated: Jun 21, 2025

Real-time Electrophysiology: Using Closed-loop Protocols to Probe Neuronal Dynamics and Beyond

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Published on: June 24, 2015

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Published on: September 4, 2015

Presynaptically Silent Synapses Studied with Light Microscopy

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Published on: January 4, 2010

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cellular Biology
Molecular Biology

Background:

The engram represents the physical trace of memory in the brain.
Debate exists whether the engram is cellular or synaptic.
Understanding the engram is crucial for memory research.

Purpose of the Study:

To review cellular engram research and its challenges.
To explore the synaptic basis of the engram.
To discuss synaptic plasticity as a substrate for memory.

Main Methods:

Literature review of cellular engram studies.
Analysis of research on synaptic plasticity and memory.
Overview of technologies for studying synaptic plasticity.

Main Results:

Cellular engram research faces significant challenges.
Synaptic plasticity is increasingly recognized as the basis of memory.
Technological advancements are crucial for engram research.

Conclusions:

The synaptic basis of the engram is a promising area of research.
Synaptic plasticity provides a strong substrate for memory.
Further technological development is needed to fully elucidate the engram.